Weather tracker: Mediterranean heatwave sparks concern for marine life
The human-induced climate crisis is making marine heatwaves more intense and prolonged, with sea surface temperatures off the coast of Mallorca since late June frequently exceeding 30C (86F).
Portugal's maritime authority said the southern Algarve had experienced a marine heatwave between the 28 June and the 9 July. Temperatures have been significantly higher than the average observed over the past 20 years – with some areas 5C above normal.
This most recent marine heatwave has been the western Mediterranean's most extreme for this time of year. While sea surface temperatures above 30C are not that unusual later in the summer, such conditions are unprecedented in late June.
The impact on marine wildlife and ecosystems from marine heatwaves can be significant. Prolonged exposure can drain the energy from sea creatures to a point where they can no longer survive. There is also evidence that some species go into survival mode and will not reproduce.
Meanwhile, days of torrential rain across South Korea have been responsible for at least four deaths, with two people still unaccounted for.
The country has been pounded by heavy rainfall since Wednesday, prompting the authorities to warn of landslides and flooding. Landslide alerts were raised to the highest level in several regions late last week, including across Chungcheong.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said more than 500mm had been recorded in Seosan, South Chungcheong province, since Wednesday.
As of Saturday, almost 3,000 people had not returned to their homes after more than 7,000 were evacuated. More than 600 properties were reported damaged.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Wipha has brought heavy rain and strong winds to parts of south-east Asia. The weather system hit parts of the Philippines before passing to the south of Taiwan on Saturday.
Rain lashed Hong Kong on Sunday as Wipha moved southwards before making landfall on the coast of Guangdong province in China. The storm is expected to reach northern Vietnam this week, bringing very heavy rain.
More than 110mm of rain was recorded in three hours in Hong Kong, with up to 100mph (161km/h) gusts. Cathay Pacific cancelled all flights for much of Sunday and elsewhere trees and scaffolding were toppled.
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The Independent
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- The Independent
Villages evacuated and homes destroyed in massive wildfire
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Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
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Two people were killed and hundreds evacuated as a massive wildfire tore through southern Cyprus, destroying homes and threatening communities amid an intense heatwave. At least 100 square kilometres (39 square miles) was razed to the ground in a wine-producing region north of the city of Limassol after the blaze broke out around midday on Wednesday, with several fronts still active on Thursday morning. Two people were found dead in a burned-out vehicle, trapped by the fire. At least 10 people were injured, two of them seriously, police said. It comes as at least 10 rescue workers were killed after they were unable to contain a punishing blaze sweeping through the central Eskisehir province of Turkey yesterday. Despite aggressive aerial and ground efforts, including 10 helicopters, five firefighting planes, and 30 fire trucks, unpredictable winds and dry conditions left two dozen emergency workers suddenly facing a raging inferno. Ten were engulfed by the fire and tragically lost their lives, while 14 more escaped but were rushed to hospital having suffered significant smoke inhalation and burns. As dawn broke, a red hue hung over Limassol, a sprawling coastal city where development in recent years has spilled over to its surrounding mountains. Firefighting aircraft were redeployed at first light after darkness forced a pause. Authorities said it was too early to give a precise account of damage, or what started the fire. 'We are talking about very strong winds, with gusts, which were constantly interchanging,' fire brigade spokesperson Andreas Kettis said. Temperatures on the island peaked at 43 degrees Celsius (109.4 Fahrenheit) on Wednesday, triggering an amber weather alert. A new amber warning was in place on Thursday, with highs forecast to hit 44 degrees Celsius - the hottest of the year so far. 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They were immediately taken to hospital, but 10 of them died, while treatment for 14 others were ongoing, the minister added. According to Yumakli, five of the victims were forest workers, while the other five were members of the post-disaster search and rescue association AKUT's team, who were assisting with the operation. The deaths bring the number of fatalities in wildfires that have flared amid strong winds, high temperatures and dry conditions so far in the country this year to 13. Some 10 rescue workers had their lives taken in Turkey's central Eskisehir province while battling to contain a wildfire, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said on Wednesday Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences, stating: 'I have learned with great sorrow that five forest workers and five AKUT volunteers were martyred in the Eskişehir fire. 'I extend my condolences to their families and to our nation.' The fire broke out in the Seyitgazi district of Eskisehir on July 22 and later spread to neighboring Afyonkarahisar's İhsaniye district, prompting a large-scale response from both ground and aerial firefighting teams. The fire quickly engulfed dense pine forests known for spreading flames through flying embers, leaving firefighters little room to maneuver. Initial investigations suggest a power line malfunction may have sparked the fire, although arson has not been ruled out. By evening, the fire had consumed an estimated 3,700 acres of forest, forcing evacuations of approximately 1,200 residents from nearby villages coordinated by the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). Beyond human casualties, the fire devastated local livestock, killing at least 50 farm animals. Turkey's Red Crescent provided critical aid for evacuees displaced by the fire. More than 130 fires have erupted across the country in the past week, according to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate. Most have been brought under control, but eight major fires continued in a number of provinces including Izmir, Aydin, Manisa, Karabuk and Bolu. Turkey has been sweltering since Sunday under temperatures between six to 12 degrees Celsius above the seasonal norms, according to weather forecasters. Several fires have been declared across the country in the tinder-box conditions. The country battled 11 major wildfires on July 23 alone, nine of which broke out during the day, according to Yumakli. Authorities have now launched a thorough investigation, analysing satellite data and on-the-ground evidence. A preliminary report is expected by July 30, with a focus on identifying precise causes and preventing future tragedies. Minister Yumaklı announced plans to recruit 5,000 additional forestry workers and expand aerial firefighting capacity by adding 10 more planes by 2026. In a statement following Wednesday's deaths, the minister said: 'My condolences to our entire country. 'We are experiencing a very painful evening. Ten of our forest workers were martyred while trying to extinguish the fires. We are currently shutting down that area. 'We can't believe how this happened in such a small forest, not a very large one. They had already escaped danger yesterday, and we were very happy, but today we lost martyrs,' the minister added. 'While responding to a forest fire that broke out in Eskisehir and reached the border of Afyonkarahisar, 19 of our forestry workers and five searching and rescuing volunteers were trapped in the fire due to adverse winds. Fourteen of our forestry workers are receiving treatment in hospitals,' he said. Scientists have long warned that burning fossil fuels is making extreme weather events such as heatwaves more likely and more intense. Experts link the surge to climate change-induced drought and heatwaves that have extended fire seasons and increased fire intensity across the Mediterranean region.
Reuters
3 hours ago
- Reuters
Two dead, homes burn in massive wildfire in Cyprus
NICOSIA, July 24 (Reuters) - Two people were killed and hundreds evacuated as a massive wildfire tore through southern Cyprus, destroying homes and threatening communities amid an intense heatwave. At least 100 square kilometres (39 square miles) was razed to the ground in a wine-producing region north of the city of Limassol after the blaze broke out around midday on Wednesday, with several fronts still active on Thursday morning. Two people were found dead in a burned-out vehicle, trapped by the fire. At least 10 people were injured, two of them seriously, police said. As dawn broke, a red hue hung over Limassol, a sprawling coastal city where development in recent years has spilled over to its surrounding mountains. Firefighting aircraft were redeployed at first light after darkness forced a pause. Authorities said it was too early to give a precise account of damage, or what started the fire. "We are talking about very strong winds, with gusts, which were constantly interchanging," fire brigade spokesperson Andreas Kettis said. Temperatures on the island peaked at 43 degrees Celsius (109.4 Fahrenheit) on Wednesday, triggering an amber weather alert. A new amber warning was in place on Thursday, with highs forecast to hit 44 degrees Celsius - the hottest of the year so far. Cyprus has requested help through the European Union's civil protection mechanism, with Spain expected to send two aircraft on Thursday, government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said. Jordan has also pledged assistance. Cyprus has struggled with a protracted drought, pushing scarce water resources to critically low levels. The affected area sits just north of Cyprus's Kouris reservoir, the island's largest. It was at just 15.5% of its capacity on Wednesday.
